Blissdom 2011 Part 1

Y'all know I went. And man alive, did I have a great time. Words cannot describe how amazing this weekend was. It was worth the 12 hours of sleep that I got over 3 days. I met so many amazing people. Heard so many inspiring stories. It was unreal. 

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death and feeling incredibly awkward- which isn't something I normally feel- on Wednesday night. I had no idea who anyone was and was terrified to just walk up to a complete stranger. 

Thank God for roomies!! 

They let you have fun with fake horses. 

Molly had a crazy drive in and I was worried she was going to turn around and head back to D.C. from the snow storm. She got in around 12:15 a.m. I will never say she doesn't love us! 

Apparently pajamas aren't the dress code for the Magnolia Lobby at 12:30 in the morning because I had more than a few comments about them when I went down to meet her. 

We got up pretty early the next day to ready ourselves for the Opening Key Note and our first workshop. 

Table 32 rocked it up!!

BelleBeanDog videoed the opening key note. I get chills watching it again but I honestly think you would need to be there to appreciate the awesomeness of it. I was honestly very close to tears through most of the opening key note because it was so incredible. 

Me and Natalie. Something I have learned this week. I need a flash for my camera. Seriously. In a bad way.

Molly and Neely

Peeps coming to find seats. 

 That afternoon we went to Innovative Writing Techniques and got to listen to some amazing bloggers talk.
 

 Let's talk about my love/hate relationship with the iPad. Hubs has one. He loves it. He insisted on buying me a few books for it in the beginning, but it was honestly too much trouble to fight him for the iPad. I tried to blog with it. It's not that great for that. So, I wrote it off. Since I love blogging and all and anything that isn't kosher with it, I write it off. But, John bought me a new book on it last week so I starting thinking about how awesome it would be to be able to take it to Blissdom. And I sweet talked him into it. And let me say, while, it still isn't kosher for blogging, I really do love the iPad now. I might possibly need my own.
 


Stay tuned for Part 2....

More and More Randomness.. on Tuesday.

So, I survived my weekend. Just barely. It went a little something like this.. Friday-- date night with the hubs to see No Strings Attached, where I laughed entirely too loud and related too much for my liking with Natalie Portman's character. Seriously. Emotional robot.. I totally understand her. As my heart was going out for a sister, John leaned over and whispered, "What is UP with her? She has problems!" Whoops.

Saturday- John worked.. supposed to run 6 miles, only did 4.8. Photo session at 1. Dinner in Huntsville with Mom and Bill-- delish!! And a great time was had, in my opinion. 

Sunday- overslept for church--children are not good alarm clocks. Who knew? Birthday party at 2-- which my children went to and I took pictures for then straight to Birmingham for dinner for Jay's Birthday. 

Whew. I am tired just typing all that. 

Claire has a new way of eating goldfish she would like to share with you. 

Look Ma! No hands!!

Then, you pile them all together...

Try to eat one the normal way.. it just doesn't feel right!

 Back to my new way!!

All of that makes a person entirely too tired... So Ma takes pictures while I sleep!

 Why am I so cute?? Who knows!

Consider this my Project 52 week 3 too! Two birds with one stone! 

I am turning into a crazy person... I am leaving for Blissdom tomorrow!! Gotta pack up my stilettos and jeggings.. and I don't have enough room in one suitcase. Unless I go get my BIG bag that I normally check in an airport.. too much? Most likely. 

Oh.. and tomorrow is Jay's birthday and my mom is having knee surgery and I will most likely not get to see her since I am leaving at lunch time. 

I really hope I don't forget my ADD medication! 

And since I really enjoyed the other days music trivia.. I shall start doing that again. I think "Grenade" was a little too easy for peeps. 

"So baby, what's the story? Did ya find another man? Is easy to sleep in the bed that we made

WHen you don't look back, guess those feelings they start to fade away.

I used to feel your fire, but now it's cold inside

and your back on the streets like you didn't miss a beat" 

Complete Randomness

Yesterday, we had to go to Huntsville because John's car was shaking pretty bad whenever he braked and since I am driving it to Nashville next week for Blissdom, we needed to find out what was wrong. Apparently, there was a silent recall on the roters? They didn't send out letters but if anyone complained about it, they replaced it for free.. Weird. Anyway.. the car is good as new. 

We pretty much lounged around all day.. took some stuff back to Hancock Fabrics that I didn't use for the ottoman, looked in Dick's sporting goods, and then we went and ate at Newk's. John loves Newk's. It's okay... But I like to give places a chance until I can find something that I love. I tried to Cobb Salad this time.. no onions or Blu Cheese. Blu Cheese makes me want to vomit. John warned me that the salad were pretty big. I wasn't prepared for the mixing bowl that it came in. 

It's the size of my head!!

I would like to point out that most of this salad was lettuce and I did pound it pretty good. I also learned something about myself from this salad. I do not like Gorgonzola cheese. GROSS. I love Feta cheese and I thought it was similar, but NOPE. It's like Blu Cheese's twin sister. 

We ventured over to Fleet Feet Sports in Huntsville, so I could scope out a Spibelt. And let me tell you, that place is heaven!! I mean, the one in Huntsville slaps the one in Birmingham in the face. They were passing out packets for a 50K this weekend, and I thought John was going to have a stroke over the distance- which is 31 miles. But he also contemplated signing up because of the super nice North Face shirts that were the race shirts. I also found these tempos.. they had a white pair that was trimmed in the purple and green and it was a tough decision, but John made fun of white running shorts. I realize I need another pair of tempos, like I need another hole in my head, but I can't help it!! I am addicted... (the first step is admitting there is a problem...) John made fun of me about my addiction, but I told him I owned up to it unlike him with his addiction to tennis shoes and jackets. 

I mean.. I NEEDED this shorts, because I like outfits that match and I have a shirt that is that green color that has never had a pair of shorts of it's very own to match! You see... I did that shirt a favor, right?!!? 

Anyway, I am not sure about the Spibelt... it's a good idea in theory, but the one I looked at didn't look big enough for my iPhone! 

Since it's Friday and I love spitting out song lyrics.. Can you name this song?? 

"Black, black, black and blue

Beat me til I'm numb

Tell the Devil I said 'Hey' when you get back to where you're from"

Happy Friday!

Living Room Touch Up

I wouldn't call what I did to the Living Room a make over... no painting, just making some pillows, getting toys out of there and making it a more grown up room. This is the only before picture I could find and it's not really even of our living room..

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I made these pillows.. they were surprisingly easy. And look at Claire in the background eating lunch.. 

John's man chair that came yesterday..

The ottoman that I made.. sort of. 

These pictures are kind of bad.. I was in a hurry and it's pretty nasty outside so the lighting wasn't ideal and I have been so excited to share what I have done that I didn't want to wait until next week anyway. Hope you enjoyed my living room touch up!

Running gear Yay or Nay?

Even though I am kind of slacking at training, I'm still getting in there everyday, and I guess that means something. Y'alls comments mean a lot... Thanks!! I really liked Mollie's idea of having John drop me off 6 miles from home and him making me run home.. that would definitely get the mileage in, don't you think?





Anyway.. I am starting to comtemplate (obsess) over what I should wear for the Disney Half... I want to cute and girly... I am thinking this pink running skirt? And a a white running shirt for it? Any ideas?

Running Skirts

I really want one of these water bottles for outdoor training..but in pink. Duh.

Nathan Water Bottles

I realize that this may be the running fanny pack, but I think it would come in handy during the race for my camera, GU's, and cell phone--because that is a definite MUST for finding family after. 

SpiBelt

I am also wondering about compression socks for either during or after the race?? Anyone ever used these for a half?

Zensah Calf sleeves 

This is a definite MUST HAVE. Talk about some motivation!!! 

Hand stamped necklace from Etsy...  

I realize that these wouldn't match my outfit.. but I am definitely needing some fun socks for the race! What do you think? Yay or Nay??

Little Miss Matched

I also REALLY want a pink sweatyband!!

Is there anything that I am forgetting that might be beneficial for this race? I am really sad that I didn't have any pictures during the race last year, because the course was SUPER fun! Also.. is anyone out there running it or know anyone running it? I need some course buddies!! I think my partner has backed out.. my friend Kristen may run it with me, but she has bad knees and is going to have to see how it goes... 

Training Woes...

Yesterday was the day I was going to get back on track with my training... my goal was to do 6 miles and then I could rest today since 6 miles is my second longest distance... ever. I got the girls to sleep and set off for the gym. I had hydrated a good bit and took some Ibuprofen to help combat any headache that might want to make an appearance. I was feeling sluggish, but I didn't let it deter me. When I got to the gym, it was pretty busy for a Sunday at 2pm.. the parking lot looked like it does for the afterwork crowd.

I took a before picture, so you can point and laugh at how red faced I get when I run... it's not pretty.



I get inside and the place is packed.. people in the pool, a spin class going on, most of the cardio machines are taken and people mulling around in the weight area. I hope on one of the last remaining treadmills and get to work. Starts out pretty easy, but here is my problem. I hate getting too hot. (I know, I shouldn't be a runner if that is a problem.) And running on a treadmill, always makes me extremely hot, no wind, and other peoples body heat drive me nutso. I am too short for that built in fan to do any good.. it just hits the top of my head.

Anyway, when the gym is packed like that, there is a 30 minute time limit for cardio machines. When I hit 30 minutes, I realized that no other treadmills were open and people were waiting. I also realize that the treadmill police wouldn't have come and made me get off my treadmill since there were women who were walking on the dang things for an hour at a time. But the guilt ate at me. What if that were ME wanting to get on a treadmill.. I would want someone to follow the rules, right? So, I did 2.37 at 30 minutes and got off.

And took an after picture... see?? So red faced!


When I got home, I was mad at myself, I should have just kept running and someone else would have gotten off the treadmill for that person.. Lord knows the guy next to me in the full sweat suit running while holding onto the side rails needed to-- I was afraid he was going to hurt himself. (Side note.. I hate getting into between two guys on treadmills, they always want to compete with my running-- run when I run and walk when I walk-- and I am not that fast!) Anyway, John looked at me and asked "What happened this time?" I was a little taken back, what did he mean by that? He said, "It's always something.. a headache, side stitches, knee pain, shin splints" Which has caused me to think... Am I wimpy? Can I not push myself to get better? Or to do those longer runs? Am I scared of failure? I realize there will be pain and discomfort in this. You can't be an athlete of any kind or be successful without it. So, am I just trying to play everything safe?


While you ponder my life's questions.. look at my sweet princesses in their zebra matching jammies.. Such cuties!

Project 52-- Week 2

So.. I have been a slacker on the Project 52. There will be some changes, because I have started a Project 52 will a group of 14 other photographers, so that will be on the photography blog. I will not be doing a "Me Monday" because I think it's a little too much work. We will still have the one family photo a month and I have some great ideas for that one! :) 

Since we were snowed in this past week, we had some opportunities to have some mini photo sessions with the girls.. I am trying to get some individual pictures of the girls for the frames above their bed, but so far, Claire isn't cooperating on looking and smiling. 

We also got to introduce a "new" Princess movie... Beauty in Beast. Which is what Addison is watching in this picture. Totally in love with Belle! 

Snowed In...

We are finishing our second day of being snowed in... I haven't left the house since Friday. It's TUESDAY! And school is cancelled for tomorrow as well...

On the plus side.. we now have a play room! I have thoroughly enjoyed having John at home with us, it's been a mini vacation around here.

Here is precious Claire bear! She would just stand around wherever we put her. But she sure does love her hat and gloves! 

Addy loved it! 

Our snowmen!

That's me again with no make-up... :) 

We are starting to go a little stir crazy, but I am enjoying our family time! 

Claire turns 2...

Dear Claire,

It's hard to believe you are 2. Officially a toddler. Two years ago, I couldn't wait to meet you. We wondered if you would look like your sister, and you do. You were quite possibly the easiest delivery ever documented. I pushed for 2 and a half minutes. I can remember looking at you in the picture below and couldn't believe it was you. You weren't supposed to come out so quickly!! 

Lately, Addison has really taken the Big Sister role and you love it. You are a text book Little Sister. You follow her around and do whatever she says. 

You may not be talking a lot, but you definitely get your point across. You are quite possibly the sweetest child I have ever met. You are so girly-- it makes me smile so big. 

Much like Addison, you love Mickey Mouse and Sleeping Beauty. You are an extremely thirsty child. You drink more than you eat and are quite the picky eater. No white foods. You live on hotdogs and goldfish crackers. 

You love to twirl you hair when you are going to sleep and when you are drinking something. I love to watch you so much. You like to organize things by color. 

You love your Mama. You follow me around and want me to hold you all the time. 

You love to open and close doors. 

You love to give hugs and kisses.

You love Trixie. 

You still hate to be messed with.. wiping your nose or changing your diaper. You do like to wear pretty clothes and hair bows. 

You love books too. 

Your laugh and smile are infectious. I love to listen to you and Addison just giggle away in your room at night when you think we aren't listening. 

You are our little Linus-- taking your blanket with you everywhere.

You love to sleep... preferably in your own bed. 

I love my days with you. You are such a joy to be around. Your personality is so much like your Daddy's-- laid back and loving to make people laugh. 

When you pout, it's hilarious. You cover your eyes and run into the next room or hang your head and sneak looks to see who is watching you. 

I love you more than words could ever express, Sweet Girl.

Happy 2nd Birthday.

Love,

Mama